InseparableMy hands-down favorite part of parenting has been watching how much fun our kids have together. They are only fifteen months apart, and that gap seems smaller and smaller the older they get. Yesterday Gray was tackling Rain, and I reminded him, "Be careful...﻿

My hands-down favorite part of parenting has been watching how much fun our kids have together. They are only fifteen months apart, and that gap seems smaller and smaller the older they get. Yesterday Gray was tackling Rai...

Easy DIY All-Purpose Cleaner with Essential OilsOne of the most frequent ways I use essential oils in my household is in this spray. With two little kids underfoot, I am always wiping up some sort of mess! The recipe is so simple I almost feel silly writing it down. But since a few of you have asked for ...﻿

One of the most frequent ways I use essential oils in my household is in this spray. With two little kids underfoot, I am always wiping up some sort of mess! The recipe is so simple I almost feel silly writing it down. But si...

A Tale of Two SheepiesGray's favorite stuffed animal is, hands down, his Sheepie. The problem is that Rain recently decided Sheepie is her favorite too. Since learning to walk, Sheepie has been her constant companion. She toddles through the house, Sheepie's body tucked into the...﻿

Gray's favorite stuffed animal is, hands down, his Sheepie. The problem is that Rain recently decided Sheepie is her favorite too. Since learning to walk, Sheepie has been her constant companion. She toddles through the house...

A Year of SundaysAs the resident photography buff, I am the one behind the lens in most of our family shots. To remedy this, we decided to document Rain's first year of life by having Mike photograph Mama and Baby every Sunday. We missed a couple weeks here and there, but o...﻿

As the resident photography buff, I am the one behind the lens in most of our family shots. To remedy this, we decided to document Rain's first year of life by having Mike photograph Mama and Baby every Sunday. We mis...

Cheap Fun for Toddlers and PreschoolersMy husband sometimes accuses me of being a cheapskate. (Every marriage needs one, no?) Lately I've been excited about thrifty homemade fun. Here are some activities we've been enjoying: Board I have no idea where this crookedly cut chunk of wood even came f...﻿

My husband sometimes accuses me of being a cheapskate. (Every marriage needs one, no?) Lately I've been excited about thrifty homemade fun. Here are some activities we've been enjoying: Board I have no idea where this c...

As one of my friends recently stated, "I think our household has upgraded from 'cabin fever' to 'winter psychosis.' Personally, I was feeling fine until last week's string of events: an insomniac teething baby, multiple sub...

Happy 2015!Happy New Year to you and yours! We celebrated the first day of 2015 by cleaning the house from top to bottom (nothing like a fresh start!) and then rewarded ourselves by sledding at a nearby hill. I think Mike and I enjoyed it more than the kids did (sledd...﻿

Happy New Year to you and yours! We celebrated the first day of 2015 by cleaning the house from top to bottom (nothing like a fresh start!) and then rewarded ourselves by sledding at a nearby hill. I think Mike and I enjoyed ...

Three reasons why you should check out The Honest Company: - Nontoxic - Super cute designs - Free sample boxes! The Honest Company is the modern family's trusted resource for unquestionably safe, effective, and beautiful non-...

Reflecting on FallWe Midwesterners were thoroughly spoiled by a long and lingering fall. Here were some of our favorite moments: Fresh Butterfinger doughnuts. How did we ever survive before owning a doughnut pan? Cool mornings call for warm kitchens and an eager Cook's Help...﻿

We Midwesterners were thoroughly spoiled by a long and lingering fall. Here were some of our favorite moments: Fresh Butterfinger doughnuts. How did we ever survive before owning a doughnut pan? Cool mornings call fo...

She's One!Seems like just the other day she was a wee little thing sleeping in her rock-and-play. And now she's a jabbery, squirmy, motor-noise-making one-year-old! Rain was born with a calm countenance and wise eyes. Friends constantly say she looks like she could s...﻿

Seems like just the other day she was a wee little thing sleeping in her rock-and-play. And now she's a jabbery, squirmy, motor-noise-making one-year-old! Rain was born with a calm countenance and wise eyes. Friends constan...